Extracting features from auditory observations with active or passive assistance of shape-based auditory modification apparatus

ABSTRACT

This disclosure provides for an auditory modification apparatus to facilitate extraction of information from an auditory observation stream. The approach may be used to reveal features about the environment, or to simplify processing of the incoming audio stream. The apparatus acts on the incoming auditory stream by nature of its shape, and that shape either is passively static or actively manipulated. Preferably, the apparatus has given shape characteristics to reveal features of the environment, such as directionality of a noise, size of an enclosed space, or materials of its construction, that are not otherwise detectable or easy to process with conventional approaches. Further advantage exists in the notion of actively manipulating the shape of the apparatus in conjunction with its operation to facilitate information extraction in a dynamic manner.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to audio processing methods andsystems.

Related Art

The anatomy of the human ear, and its impact on processing of receivedsounds in the environment, have been widely investigated and studied.One approach, such as described in U.S. Publication No. 2008/0050710, isto provide a training model of the human ear to train new doctors andmedical students to diagnose pathologies that might impact hearing. Inthat disclosure, an anatomical model for training includes a headportion, at least one auricle portion, at least one ear canal, and acartridge. The cartridge is adaptable to mimic at least one pathology ofthe human ear. Another approach to providing an anatomical model of thistype for training purposes is described in U.S. Publication No.2012/0088215. This publication describes an otoscopic model thatincludes an artificial ear, an artificial head and at least one tympanicmembrane portion. The artificial ear includes a base portion and an earportion extending from the base and having ear-like features includingan auditory canal. The artificial head includes an opening adapted toreceive the base portion. The at least one tympanic membrane portionincludes an artificial tympanic membrane. The tympanic membrane portionis configured to be coupled with the artificial ear such that theartificial tympanic membrane is located relative to the auditory canalin a generally anatomically correct manner. Other modeling and measuringapproaches include, for example, U.S. Publication No, 2015/0341733,which describes a measurement device for evaluating an acoustic device,where the acoustic device allows sound to be heard via vibrationtransmission by having a housing provided with a vibrating element to beheld by a head including a human ear. The measurement device includes anear model unit modeled after a human ear, a model of a human body thatholds the acoustic device, and a vibration detector disposed in the earmodel unit.

While these and other devices and techniques like are useful, e.g., formedical training, there remains a need to provide improved devices andmethods.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This disclosure describes a method and apparatus to extract informationfrom an auditory observation stream, preferably using a shape-basedauditory modification apparatus. The approach may be used to revealfeatures about the environment, or to simplify processing of an incomingaudio stream. The apparatus acts on the incoming auditory stream bynature of its shape, and that shape either is passively static oractively manipulated. Preferably, the shape-based auditory modificationapparatus has given shape characteristics to reveal features of theenvironment, such as directionality of a noise, size of an enclosedspace, or materials of its construction, that are not otherwisedetectable or easy to process with conventional approaches. A furtheradvantage exists in the notion of actively manipulating the shape of theapparatus in conjunction with its operation to facilitate informationextraction in a dynamic manner.

The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent features of thesubject matter. These features should be construed to be merelyillustrative.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the disclosed subject matter andthe advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts a representation of a measurement system in which theshape-based auditory modification apparatus of this disclosure may beimplemented;

FIG. 2 depicts a portion of the auditory modification apparatus of thisdisclosure and, in particular, a two-dimensional view of athree-dimensional surface thereof that partially occludes incomingauditory signals, acting on them in a manner to produce minor reflectivepatterns that vary in time based on the direction of the incomingsignal;

FIG. 3 depicts an example of two instances of the portions shown in FIG.2, with the two instances situated in a manner to produce binauralmeasurements at two measurement points;

FIG. 4 depicts an example auditory modification apparatus of thisdisclosure according to a first embodiment that is designed to focus ondirection;

FIG. 5 depicts an example auditory modification apparatus of thisdisclosure according to a second embodiment that is designed as fluid-or air-filled, and that, based on its material, creates multiplereflections of incoming auditory signals;

FIG. 6 depicts an example auditory modification apparatus of thisdisclosure that is combination of the FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5embodiments and that provides a directional-focused action via a conicaldirection structure that can be repositioned, together with afluid-filled or air-filled bladder that creates multiple reflections ofincoming auditory signals based on the directionality of the source;

FIG. 7 depicts another example configuration of the auditorymodification apparatus that is focused specifically on rapiddetermination of auditory source directional characteristics in threedimensions for a single sound source;

FIG. 8 depicts a variant of the auditory modification apparatus of FIG.7 and an associated measurement technique using the apparatus; and

FIG. 9 depicts another variant of the auditory modification apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

By way of background, and as depicted in FIG. 1, an auditorymodification apparatus 100 of this disclosure is adapted to be used inassociation with the following representative elements and operations:an environment 102, such as a room or outdoor space, an auditorymeasurement sensor 104 (e.g., a microphone) to capture an auditorysignal 106, the auditory modification apparatus 100 situated in such amanner that partially occults or envelops the measurement sensor 104,and a processing node 108 connected to the measurement sensor 104 andoptionally the apparatus 100. As will be described, the auditorymodification apparatus 100 possesses a shape or configuration that canbe changed, and it acts in some measurable manner on the auditory signal106. There is no requirement that any particular type of measurementsensor 104 or processing node 108 be used, and such technologies arewell-known. The processing node may include one or more computingentities that include hardware, computer memory, and one or morecomputer programs that provide auditory signal processing. Additionalelements not shown include analog-to-digital converters, filters, andthe like, that are commonly-used in auditory signal processing. Onceagain, the particular details of such systems, devices, technologies andalgorithms are not the subject of this disclosure.

Generally, and in one embodiment, the auditory modification apparatus100 includes an open structure designed to act on auditory waves flowingthrough it. In a simple implementation approach, the apparatus comprisesa tube of cylindrical shape, or a modified cylindrical shape, that isdesigned to possess characteristic resonance frequencies for soundsmoving through the shape. These resonant frequencies allow easierdetection of faint signals directionally via automatic amplification. Inan alternative embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes aninternally-enclosed or partially-enclosed cavity that is designed to acton auditory waves that reach it but preferably not that flow through it.For example, the cavity may be a cave-like shape that creates anecho-like or reverberant effect at various frequencies depending on itsshape and size. As another variant, the apparatus has an enclosed cavityfilled with a specific material that combines both the effect of itsshape and the effect of the material on sound waves. An example of thislatter approach is a water-filled or viscous-fluid-filled cavity orother dispersive or non-homogeneous medium; such a cavity acts both onthe speed of any sound waves reaching it, and also resonate or echobased on its shape. Without limitation, the apparatus comprises one ormore components leveraging different materials, which materials havedifferent reflective acoustic response characteristics. Representativebut non-limiting materials include wood, stone, and metal, each of whichreflect sound differently. The apparatus may also include componentswith a reflective surface. In general, the apparatus comprises one ormore of these components, and wherein each such component may act on theauditory signal in a different manner, as may be suitable to thefeatures of the auditory signal that are being extracted orpre-processed using the device.

The apparatus may comprise a synthetic human ear shape, including bothinner and outer ear shape aspects, and possessing various sectionsresonant to various frequencies, and/or reflective at various distancesfrom the microphone. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises asynthetic human ear shape that rotates in various directions, preferablyaround three axes, to allow directional-specific, frequency-specificresonance to be directed actively during measurement. As will be seenbelow, an apparatus may comprise a combination of components havingmultiple characteristics, such as: a large object with an asymmetricacoustic aperture, to affect larger wavelengths and frequenciesunilaterally or directionally; multiple internal cavities, some hollowand diverse in shape to resonate to specific frequencies specific toecholocation-specific techniques, and another cavity with asymmetricshape and possessing a viscous fluid within, and an element ofmalleability to its shape. Further, a simple combination of multiplematerials in small block or small component shape format, and that canbe manipulated (e.g., by a robotic frame for active re-orientation ofshape and materials as needed for frequency and directionality responsemeasurements), provides one implementation that provides usefuldetection capabilities. In an alternative embodiment, multiple apparatusof this type are situated to create binaural effects on incomingauditory signals to facilitate location and directionalitydeterminations.

With reference again to FIG. 1, a detection method employs the followingsteps. The apparatus 100 is positioned on, around, or near themicrophone 104 (or other measurement device) in a manner that allows itsshape to act on the auditory signals 106. Preferably, the auditorymodification apparatus has a shape and configuration that employscombinations of constructive, destructive, diffractive, reflective,reverberant, dispersive and phase-shifting activities on the auditorysignal. The auditory signal 106 passes from the environment 102 acrossapparatus 100, which then acts on the auditory signal in a manner thattransforms the signal, preferably prior to its reception at themeasurement sensor 104. Such transformation typically involvestransforming the signal's amplitude, phase, frequency, or othercharacteristics via constructive, destructive, diffractive, reflective,reverberant, dispersive and/or phase-shifting effects. The microphone104 measures the auditory signal 106, as acted upon by the apparatus100, and by the action of the apparatus thereby extracts characteristicsof environment 102. The characteristics include, without limitation:directionality of the audio signal source, the nature and extent of theaudio processing functionality caused by the apparatus, detection ofvery small amplitude signals whose frequency resonates due to the shapethe apparatus but would otherwise be unnoticeable, and so forth. One ormore of these characteristics can then be further processed as desireddepending on the application. In a variant, processing node controls amechanism to act dynamically on the apparatus 100 to change its physicalshape, viscosity, chemical composition, material, or other properties,during the monitoring and measurement of the signal, thereby creating adynamic action over time.

The following provides additional details regarding several possiblestructural implementations for the apparatus of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 demonstrates a two-dimensional view of a three-dimensionalsurface that partially occludes incoming auditory signals, therebyacting on them in a manner to produce minor reflective patterns thatvary in time based on the direction of the incoming signal. In thisexample, item A represents an auditory measurement node, and item Brepresents a reflective surface that reflects auditory signals in somemanner based on its material construction. As depicted, the reflectedsignal arrives at the measurement node A at varying times based on thedirection of the source signal in relation to the measurement node, witha time variance based on the distance of the surface from themeasurement node. For example, a reflection from a source positioneddirectly opposite the part of the surface labeled 1 generates a shorttime delay, directly opposite the part labeled 2 generates a longer timedelay, opposite the part labeled 3 generates a longer delay, andopposite the part labeled 4 generates the longest delay. As a continuoussurface, the delay varies in a linear manner based on the directionalityof the source, however, the surface can be constructed with flatelements or in a different structure to create differing reflectivetiming characteristics.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of two instances B (as depicted in FIG. 1),with the two instances situated in a manner to produce binauralmeasurements at the two measurement points A. The binaural measurementstypically vary in timing based on the distance, in the horizontal plane,of the position of the auditory signal source. The surfaces thatsurround the measurement nodes further act on the incoming signal in amanner that produces different reflections in time based on the verticalplane position. The combination of using two measurement nodes A and thereflective surface B, as a combined apparatus, allows determination ofthe three-dimension position of the auditory signal's source. Inparticular, items A in FIG. 3 represent two distinct measurement nodespositioned, in this example, directly opposite one another on theoutside surfaces of a three-dimensional object. Items B in FIG. 3represent reflective surfaces on the plane surrounding the measurementnodes, in a manner so as to produce partial reflective signals ofvarying time based on the directionality of the incoming auditorysignal. Item C in FIG. 3 represents an arbitrary three-dimensionalobject. In this example, the width is exaggerated for illustrationpurposes only, but it can be of arbitrary shape.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of an apparatus of this disclosure designed toexplicitly focus on direction only through the use of a conicalstructure B that allows, and optionally amplifies, signals from acertain direction in space, while being constructed in a manner thatmuffles or silences signals from outside the extension of this conicalshape in space. The platform 404 upon which the structure 402 rests canbe rotated (e.g., by rotating a support) to assess a position thatmaximizes amplitude, representing the direction of the signal source. Inthis example embodiment of FIG. 4, item A is a measurement node situatedwithin or at the base of the conical structure B. Preferably, theconical structure is made out of a material that possesses reflectiveproperties internally and externally, so as to produce amplification orfiltration of incoming signals from an area in space originating withinthe projection of the conical structure, and muffling or reflectingsignals outside of this projection area. Note that a conical structureis used for purposes of this example, but the structure can possess asimilar shape that acts heavily to filter auditory signals that do notoriginate from a specific directionality. Item C in FIG. 4 is a platformthat rotates to demonstrate the basic notion of a two-dimensionaldirectional detection facilitated by measurement of signal amplitude,based on the action of item B on an auditory source. Note that athree-dimensional directional measurement may be implemented, e.g.,using a surface that rotates along an additional axis for such effect.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a fluid- or air-filled apparatus placedbeside or near a measurement node, which based on its material createsmultiple reflections of incoming auditory signals. These reflectionstypically repeat over time as the signal reflects within the apparatus,generating multiple signals whose arrival time and strength at themeasurement node are related to the position of the auditory signal'ssource. Item A in FIG. 5 represents an auditory measurement node. Item Brepresents a bladder of air or fluid, constructed of a material whoseexterior is partially but not wholly reflective to sound, and aninterior which may possess a material within which the sound of airtravels at a different rate than the surrounding medium. For example, ifthe entire apparatus is underwater, the contents of the bladder may beair, or vice versa. The shape of B is arbitrarily a sphere in thisexample, for simplicity purposes, but the shape of B will act upon asignal in a reflective manner, producing minor reflections whichmanifest as echoes to item A based on the direction of the auditorysignal source. Item C is an arbitrary and optional base for positioningitems A and B.

FIG. 6 depicts a combination of the prior apparatus from FIG. 2, FIG. 4and FIG. 5, and in particular representing a combination of strictdirectional-focused action via a conical direction structure that can berepositioned. This apparatus includes a further “fine” directionalaction due to a spiral (or similar reflective surface situated in amanner so as to produce varying distances for different directions)structure upon a surface immediately outside the conical structure. Theapparatus includes a fluid-filled or air-filled bladder that, as notedabove, creates multiple reflections of incoming auditory signals basedon the directionality of the source. In this example, Item A is anauditory measurement node situated at the base of a conical structure B.Item B is an example of the primary apparatus of FIG. 4, namely, aconical or similar structure that produces stronger amplitude of signalsat Item A based on its directional alignment with the signal source.Item C is an example of the primary apparatus shown in FIG. 2, namely, astructure that produces reflections based on the directionality of thesource in relation to the plane which the surface is on. In thisexample, the plane represents a flat surface surrounding the opening ofthe conical structure B, but it can be also incorporated within theconical structure instead, or on some similar surface between item A andthe auditory signal source. Item D in FIG. 6 is a bladder as describedabove in connection with FIG. 5, acting in a manner that producestime-varying reflective signals based on the direction of the source aswell. Item E in FIG. 6 is a candidate surface upon which the apparatuselements are placed, and that can optionally rotate. In this diagram,circular rotation is outlined by the arrow, however, item E can beconstructed in a manner so as to produce multiple axes of movementfacilitating three-dimensional repositioning.

The apparatus as described herein provides significant advantages. Asthe above examples illustrate, the subject matter herein provides for adevice with a structure that can be optionally changed to modify theeffect on the measured auditory signal. The apparatus can be shaped likean ear, but it need not be. Rather, the approach herein provides a moregeneral and malleable approach to affecting the acoustics of theauditory signal through a combination of shape, material, and resonance.

One application of the apparatus is to have an asymmetric structure oftwo or more reflective surfaces or cavities surrounding dual measurementpoints. This produces a binaural measurement that reproduces stereoeffects by being a dual measurement, as sounds arrive at eachmeasurement point at different times. It also capturesdirectional-specific measurements caused by reflection on the asymmetricreflective surfaces, which will cause minor reflective echoes to reachthe measurement nodes at slightly different times based on the directionof the incoming signal, thereby allowing a computing device to detectthe directionality of an auditory signal by simply calculating thedifference in timing of received signals and reflections at eachmeasurement node. This technique allows one to record stereo sounds withdirectional characteristics that will be preserved if played back viaheadphones in humans, but the same directional effect can be computed toprocess information about sounds and sources to measure aroom/chamber/environment as well for various consumer or automationpurposes, including robotic or autonomous systems.

Another application of the apparatus is to leverage a shape that causesdirectional amplification of the incoming auditory signal, via a cone orcanal like structure with a material exterior that absorbs acousticsignals that cannot directly enter the structure. The directionalstructure is slowly rotated while measuring ambient, or synthesized,sound sources to determine the number of sound sources and theirdirectionality within the room, e.g., by identifying the apparatusdirectionality that results in the maximum amplitude signal observed,and that can be repeated for multiple sound sources.

The use of a fluid- or air-filled cavity near the measurement source issimilar to that of the reflective surfaces or varying reflective media;it creates a chamber that causes reflection and further a repeatedreflection due to being a chamber, thus creating multiple modifiedresultant signals at time delays from the original signal. Theseresultant reflective echo signals are processed simply using time delaymodels to ascertain distance, and directionality, from an incomingsignal. Focused directional measurement of signals conductedcontinuously or in a repeated fashion can be used to detect the size andshape of an object when combining time-based distance measures withidentification of directional aspects which maximize amplitude.

FIG. 7 provides another example configuration of the auditorymodification apparatus that is focused specifically on rapiddetermination of auditory source directional characteristics in threedimensions for a single sound source. In this embodiment, rapiddirectionality in three dimensions is facilitated by usingdirectionally-specific apparatus, preferably the conical structuresoutlined below, together with the ability to rotate each around an axis.In particular, to maximally cover three-dimensional space at a givenpoint of measurement, one can employ four (4) such apparatus in relativelocations equating to the four vertices of a tetrahedron, as outlined inFIG. 7, as items 1, 2, 3, and 4. As two measurements of an auditorysource may not reveal its direction fully based on the time differencein arrivals alone, in this embodiment three measurements are used torapidly and accurately determine directionality. In three dimensions,this configuration of four apparatus placed in a manner equating to thefour vertices of a tetrahedron allows any object in three dimensionsaround the apparatus as a whole to be covered by at least three of theconical measurement apparatus for purposes of detecting thedirectionality of the signal. The choice of a tetrahedron in the diagramis to simplify the explanation, and any arbitrary structure can be used.The rotation of the conical structures can be controlled by an automatedmechanism or non-automated approaches, but this structure presents auseful mechanism to leverage passive auditory sensing to determinedirectional location in three dimensions. To apply such an apparatus toindividual sound signals, one would first leverage the first suchobservation to identify the manner in which to position the conicalstructures for a second observation, and within further measurements,adjust the conical structures' directionality to identify aconfiguration that maximizes the signal strength in all threemeasurement nodes that cover the signal source.

Without limitation, some candidate commercial applications for a deviceas shown in FIG. 7 include tracking or analysis of the movement ofindividual objects, such as hunting game, identifying the location offaint noises caused by structural weakness in a building or otherconstruction, identification of the location of geologically-originatingsounds such as within a cave or glacier, identification of the directionof specific seismic observations, or application within hazard avoidancetechniques for autonomously controlled or remotely controlledautomobiles, planes, nautical vessels, or underwater vehicles.

The following describes a further example of applying the apparatus(such as shown in FIG. 7) in a manner specific to extraction ofenvironmental characteristics, such as measuring the size of a room, thenumber of objects in a room, or more complex approaches to dynamicallytracking multiple objects in space using passive or active acousticmethods. Similar to the prior example, and as shown in FIG. 8, onepositions four measurement apparatus (items 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D) in atetrahedral shape in order to maximize coverage of any possibleobservable object in the three-dimensional space surrounding theapparatus as a whole, with a minimum of three apparatus covering anyobject in any direction. In this example, one leverages measurementnodes that preferably are covered by an object made to simulate theshape and structure of the human ear, and ear canal, facing eachdirection outwardly. The shape of the human ear allows directionalprocessing of the incoming signals at each ear based on reflections ofthe surfaces in the outer ear's shape, and the combination of four suchmeasurements and their timing characteristics allows directionalmeasurement of any perceived auditory signal without necessarilyrequiring any repositioning of the apparatus or measurement nodes. Inthe event the application benefits from generation of an acousticsignal, due either to the lack of noise, or the need for moremeasurements to capture the characteristics of the environment within agiven timeframe, two acoustic synthesis nodes, labeled 2A and 2B, cangenerate short signals. Preferably, these signals pass through thefluid-filled or air-filled bladders at 1A and 1B, which cause the shortsignal to become reflected as a repeating reflective signal rather thanone single signal, creating a multitude of diminishing size auditorywaves to strike any objects to be measured in three-dimensional space.Situating the two auditory synthesis nodes on opposing sides of theapparatus as a whole allows full coverage of three-dimensional space,however, more could be used if needed. The resulting signals reflect offof objects, including objects within a space, and walls or otherreflective surfaces, arriving at the four measurement nodes in a mannerwhich indicates the timing of the signal, and the direction, based onthe effects of the outer ear's reflection.

With the above-described arrangement, a computing element can then beused to analyze the timing of the incoming signals to determine thedistance and directionality of any measured object in three-dimensionalspace. The combination of outer ear structures and multiple reflectivesignals created by the bladders results in a magnified number ofmeasurable auditory signals and multiple effects on each signal due tothe environment and the outer ear shapes' reflection of signals. Thearrival times, and characteristics, of the incoming auditory signal atthe measurement nodes, then reveals aspects of the environment that canfacilitate rapid determination of the environment's component objects,size, distances, and potentially shapes, given enough signals andprecision of measurement timing and waveforms.

A commercial application of this technology to consumer video or audiorecording is outlined in an additional example, shown in FIG. 9. In thisdiagram, the box represents an arbitrary cellular device, such as atelephone. This is not a limitation, as it could also represent anyother piece of commercial consumer or professional equipment in whichstereo or monaural microphones exist. A normal recording from such aninstrument retains stereo characteristics of the recorded audio signalbut loses directional characteristics when replayed. To facilitatepreservation of the directional characteristics associated with thosegenerated by the human ear, specifically to facilitate preservation ofdirectional characteristics in a signal played back through headphonesor a similar method, one can attach or otherwise leverage an apparatuson each microphone to affect the incoming auditory signal in the samemanner as the human ear. In this example, the phone may have its stereomicrophones situated on the side, as represented by items 1A and 1B. Inthis scenario, one would affix or position apparatus 3A and 3B onto themicrophones. The phone may alternatively have stereo microphonessituated on only one of its surfaces, such as the base, represented by2A and 2B. In this scenario, a slightly-modified form of the apparatus,to preserve directionality of the signal, would be used, represented byitems 4A and 4B, affixed or otherwise attached to the microphones 2A and2B. This approach can be applied to nearly any example of stereoscopicrecording contained within any other electronic apparatus, whethercommercial, industrial, or professional in nature.

Generalizing, it can be seen that the apparatus is suited to extractintelligence about the world as a sensing mechanism, and it primarilyacts by preventing the destruction of useful information that is presentin the characteristics of the auditory signals in the environment. Thedestruction nearly always occurs in a solitary plain auditory sensor,but the structure helps ensure that some relevant characteristics of theauditory signal are preserved via transforming them into features at themeasurement node.

While the above describes a particular order of operations performed bycertain embodiments, it should be understood that such order isexemplary, as alternative embodiments may perform the operations in adifferent order, combine certain operations, overlap certain operations,or the like. References in the specification to a given embodimentindicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature,structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarilyinclude the particular feature, structure, or characteristic.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is set forth below.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus associated with an environment, comprising: a support; an auditory modification structure having a shape and formed of a material; wherein the auditory modification structure is positioned on the support relative to an auditory source in the environment, the auditory modification structure as positioned receiving an auditory signal from the auditory source and, by virtue of its shape, material and position, selectively alters a characteristic of the auditory signal; a sensor to sense the characteristic; and a detector to use the characteristic of the auditory signal that has been altered by the shape, material and position of the auditory modification structure to extract information about the environment.
 2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the auditory modification structure comprises a substantially conical-shaped structure that provides a directional-focused action on the auditory signal.
 3. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the auditory modification structure comprises a fluid-filled or air-filled bladder that creates multiple reflections of the auditory signal based on the directionality of the auditory source.
 4. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the auditory modification structure comprises a substantially conical-shaped structure that provides a directional-focused action on the auditory signal, and a fluid-filled or air-filled bladder that creates multiple reflections of the auditory signal based on the directionality of the auditory source.
 5. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the auditory modification structure comprises a reflective surface adapted to produce reflections of the auditory signal based on a directionality of the auditory source in relation to a plane that supports the reflective surface.
 6. The apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein the auditory modification structure includes a pair of reflective surfaces.
 7. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the characteristic of the auditory signal that is altered in one of: the auditory signal's amplitude, phase and frequency.
 8. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the shape and position alter the auditory signal by one of: constructive, destructive, diffractive, reflective, reverberant, dispersive and phase-shifting effects.
 9. The apparatus as described in claim 1 further including a mechanism to rotate the support to adjust the position of the auditory modification structure relative to the auditory source.
 10. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the auditory modification structure has a cone-shape and the support is wood.
 11. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the information is one of: a directionality of the auditory signal, a size of a space associated with the environment, and a material associated with the environment.
 12. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the auditory signal is human speech. 